God deals with you, One-on-One.

Don't get stressed out about “legalisms” or “unessential rules”. The Bible is very clear on some sins that we will call “essential”, such as stealing, lying, murder, etc. It's not so clear on others that we will call “unessential”.

Stop judging everyone according to your own convictions. This is not the will of God. Matthew 7:1-2 warns us:
1 Do not judge and criticize and condemn others, so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourselves.
2 For just as you judge and criticize and condemn others, you will be judged and criticized and condemned, and in accordance with the measure you [use to] deal out to others, it will be dealt out again to you.

Romans 14:1-2 continues to teach us:
1 As for the man who is a weak believer, welcome him [into your fellowship], but not to criticize his opinions or pass judgment on his scruples or perplex him with discussions.

2 One [man’s faith permits him to] believe he may eat anything, while a weaker one [limits his] eating to vegetables.

5 One man esteems one day as better than another, while another man esteems all days alike [sacred]. Let everyone be fully convinced (satisfied) in his own mind.

Just because you think it's ok to do something, don't judge another believer for not doing it, and vice versa. What God has told one person it's OK to do, He may have told another NOT to do. God knows what He has planned for each one of our lives. What is wrong for one person may not be wrong for you, and what is wrong for you may not be wrong for another. Learn to deal with youself and let God deal with others the way He sees fit.

One person may feel comfortable to see a certain movie, yet another person is absolutely against seeing that movie.This is an unessential area. Don't judge that person for not wanting to see that movie by trying to talk him into it because you feel it's fine to watch.

Remember that God deals with us One-on-One. He has a specific will and purpose for each one of us. When we surrender our lives to Him, He does His incredible works in each one of us. BUT, the purpose He is working in your life is not the same purpose He is working in another life. Each purpose involves specific plans for that purpose.

You deal with YOU. Let God do His works in you and leave the others for God to deal with. Don't get in God's way for someone else's life. Romans 7:14 & 22-23 teaches us:

14 I know and am convinced (persuaded) as one in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is [forbidden as] essentially unclean (defiled and unholy in itself). But [none the less] it is unclean (defiled and unholy) to anyone who thinks it is unclean.

22 Your personal convictions [on such matters]—exercise [them] as in God’s presence, keeping them to yourself [striving only to know the truth and obey His will]. Blessed (happy, to be envied) is he who has no reason to judge himself for what he approves [who does not convict himself by what he chooses to do].

23 But the man who has doubts (misgivings, an uneasy conscience) about eating, and then eats [perhaps because of you], stands condemned [before God], because he is not true to his convictions andhe does not act from faith. For whatever does not originate andproceed from faith is sin [whatever is done without a conviction of its approval by God is sinful].

Choose Peace. Follow your conscience. The Holy Spirit guides you through your conscience, so learn to listen for His small, still voice. If you are uncomfortable about something, it's simple … Don't Do It! That uncomfortable feeling is the Holy Spirit speaking to you and guiding you in His purpose for you.

Choose Peace and you will find it.

In Christ's Service,

~ Darcel ~